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We're not in Kansas anymore
Author: BobR
Date: 08/03/2022 12:26:36
Yesterday was yet another primary day in several states in our inexorable march towards a depressing midterm election. Along the way, however, things didn't turn out quite the way that most people expected. Yes, I am referring to that abortion ballot referendum in Kansas.
It turns out that a majority of voters really do care about a woman's right to choose - even in solid "red" states like Kansas. The awkwardly worded ballot initiative presuming to allow the Kansas state legislature the right to regulate women's bodies was resoundingly defeated by a solid 20 points. Perhaps because of this initiative, voter turnout was way higher than a normal midterm, and almost approaching a presidential election year:
Based on how many people who filled out the two primary parties' ballots, it appears a majority of Republican party voters in Kansas want to ensure abortion remains safe and legal:
This should definitely give Republicans pause. If they continue to push this issue, they may find themselves "aborted" from their state legislatures this fall. One can only hope.
It turns out that a majority of voters really do care about a woman's right to choose - even in solid "red" states like Kansas. The awkwardly worded ballot initiative presuming to allow the Kansas state legislature the right to regulate women's bodies was resoundingly defeated by a solid 20 points. Perhaps because of this initiative, voter turnout was way higher than a normal midterm, and almost approaching a presidential election year:
In Kansas, there was hardly a contest to speak of. The "No" coalition -- which opposed a measure that would have removed abortion rights from the state constitution -- appears to be on track to win in a landslide. And it's no low-turnout fluke. The overall vote count on the amendment eclipsed 869,000 at around 1 a.m. ET.
That figure exceeded Kansas' general election turnout in the midterm year of 2010 and was approaching the 2014 total overnight. And overall primary turnout in the state two years ago -- in the midst of a presidential campaign -- clocked in at just over 636,000. In the 2018 midterm primary, the figure was lower: 457,598.
Based on how many people who filled out the two primary parties' ballots, it appears a majority of Republican party voters in Kansas want to ensure abortion remains safe and legal:
Democratic turnout was even lower -- another sign that the abortion issue transcends party lines. Fewer than 250,000 voted in the party's Senate primary and only a few thousand more punched ballots for incumbent Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who faces an uphill battle to win a second term.
This should definitely give Republicans pause. If they continue to push this issue, they may find themselves "aborted" from their state legislatures this fall. One can only hope.
